JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Why do Japanese change their attitude when they communicate with foreigners?
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U.S. Navy investigating how parts fell off aircraft near Atsugi
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Confrontation
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California court to decide if SeaWorld whales are illegal 'slaves'
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Kuroki reported pregnant 2 weeks after denying relationship with Akanishi
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- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
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- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
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Azrael
She looks great, and great for her age, too. It's a pity she promotes fur by using it... unless it's a synthetic fur jacket?
Posted in: Heart of Stone
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Azrael
The guy on the top left ruined the photo by being the phantom of recession looming over the shiny happy people of Japan.
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Azrael
I second LoveUSA and Mrs. Cleo.
The police woman was lucky she glanced up at her veranda before going into the building, saw the pervert and (quite intelligently) got backup. Who knows if she would be unharmed or even alive today otherwise.
Posted in: Cop arrested for breaking into female cop’s apartment in Chiba
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Azrael
I suppose continue as till now: Keep Ichihashi under tight police surveillance and conduct regular medical checkups to make sure his vitals don't weaken and he remains healthy enough to stand trial. If his body begins to weaken, then IV drips may be used. If he continues to refuse food, then there's always the alternative of tube-feeding performed at a hospital. Meanwhile prosecutors may build their case based on physical proof and a careful investigation regarding Ichihashi previous to capture: where did he go and how, his contacts, debit and/or credit cards they may have found in his wallet and where did his money come from. Interview former co-workers. Not all depends on Ichihashi talking (yes, I know police in Japan is said to rely on confessions rather than on hard evidence, but still). It's his defense that may want him to talk rather than the prosecutors. After all, his case and culpability seem (so far) to be understood from the evidence he left behind when he fled. His activities during his time eluding Japanese justice do not speak in his favor either.
Posted in: If Tatsuya Ichihashi continues to refuse food and refuse to talk about the murder of Lindsay Ann Hawker, what do you think prosecutors should do?
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Azrael
Johnny Depp has my vote on this matter, definitely.
Posted in: Johnny Depp voted 'Sexiest Man Alive' title
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Azrael
Miyaratmosphere at 03:05 PM JST - 17th November, I am a surprised by your comment so I would like to say in all constructive criticism that you seem to be a little confused. Courtesy, at least in the West, is about treating others as you wish they treat you and most specially, care for those weaker than you at the moment. That is what courtesy is about. I cannot help but to perceive you harbor animosity towards Westerners and more acutely towards Western females (regardless if you are Western or not). A pregnant woman, an elderly woman and a woman carrying a child in her arms in a packed train are always in a weaker position than you. It is only good-natured and polite to offer your seat. You see, the cornerstone of courtesy is to be kind from the heart. If you discriminate against females, well... you are being rude. It's your choice and you may remain seated; but please notice that authentic politeness does not discriminate.
Posted in: Is chivalry dead on Tokyo trains?
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Azrael
Kirakira, I wish I had something to answer all my questions, too XD. I wish you deliver a healthy child! Yabusama, thanks for your reply. Yes, it's a sad state of affairs everywhere. No matter their background if people give up on courtesy, society becomes a pandemonium.
Posted in: Is chivalry dead on Tokyo trains?
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Azrael
yabusama at 03:59 PM JST - 16th November: The Japanese have the idea of WA, preserving the harmony of society, not being disruptive. Acting like a bunch of monkeys on the trains is not practicing WA.
Exactly. I maintain my point of view that chivalry is foreign to Japan. The West has chivalry; Japan has Wa. These are two different and sometimes opposite sets of courtesy. Kirakira, I think Wa is the answer to your question. Yabusama, as you mentioned yourself, to be polite or not be polite is a choice and many Japanese on trains choose not to practice it; however may I point out to your notice that the politeness a Japanese practices is by default derived from the Wa. Chivalry of course sounds nice and romantic, but that does not mean it's automatically stuck to all societies. It derives from cultural practices and as most know, Chivalry is strongly associated with Christendom, where it was born. Japan has been heavily influenced by the West as you propose, but Japan still holds its own cultural identity based on its own roots. Japan with Shinto and Buddhism, has Wa to sustain its manners and morals. It is in the end as you may see, a cultural thing.
Posted in: Is chivalry dead on Tokyo trains?
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Azrael
The title of this article poses a weird question. Is chivalry dead on Tokyo trains? It asks. Chivalry is not part of Japanese culture in the first place. Chivalry is a Western concept. All the manners and deferences associated with chivalry are foreign to Japan and are not taught to children by their mothers simply because Japan has a different set of manners and what is considered polite in the West does not match what is considered polite in Japan. Simple things like, allowing the elderly to go to the front of a line, for example; leaving one's seat for a pregnant woman to sit down; holding open doors for women and children; allowing an older person to pass first through a narrow space; none of these things happen in Japan. Hence, is strange to expect chivalry to manifest in Japan train cars or anywhere else.
We had a Finnish professor for two years in my university. He was a gentleman to everyone, regardless age and gender. Japanese women were delighted and surprised - and yet, he was not doing anything extraordinary in my opinion... but in Japan his simple and kind manners were extraordinary. I am not saying Japanese are -rude- but politeness is simply different. One may or may not come to like and differentiate both sets. It's a cultural thing.
Posted in: Is chivalry dead on Tokyo trains?
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Azrael
Thanks for your reply, dolphingirl. You are probably right. I think it's better in the long run to leave Japan.
Norinrad21, are you quite alright?
Posted in: Hatoyama says Japan should embrace more migrants
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Azrael
This is a sensitive issue. As my school days draw to an end I am considering the possibility of staying to work in Japan, but a tiny voice in the back of my mind wails with horror whenever I think about working here. Working conditions and workplace equality for women are inferior in Japan than in my home country. Also, I would like to marry and have children someday and Japan refuses to sign the Hague Convention regarding international children abduction by parents - that is a Sword of Damocles I refuse to have hanging over my head. I read about a case when the Japanese wife died and while her French husband (they lived in France) was still grieving hours within his wife's death, his wife's mother abducted their children to Japan and he hasn't been able to recover them. What a terrifying thing. Also, I have not met any real candidates; almost all men expect me to ditch my culture and fully embrace Japanese culture to the point of even shush any cultural reference to my past because (yes you guessed) 'This is Japan.' I speak Japanese albeit not at native-level and this I observe may put a hindrance on landing a job, even in a scholarly field. It appears like even if I pay into national insurance it will support the Japanese elderly but I won't be supported unless I work 20 years in Japan -continuously- so that if I work out of Japan for some years, I lose everything. I am a post-graduate professional. Honestly... the tiny voice is wailing louder. It might serve me better to pay heed to it.
Posted in: Hatoyama says Japan should embrace more migrants
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Azrael
I suppose the street where he threatened her was a solitary street or there were few people around. I might have just blinked at him at passed by (if he used kanji I have not learned yet in his message) or just use a high-pitched scream if he tried to get closer. At least he got caught and he will pay for his crimes. Several reports of similar incidents? This guy needs to be put away for a very long time.
Posted in: 19-year-old arrested for rape after threatening victim on cell phone
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Azrael
The fact that the emperor has never visited Yasukuni shrine after it enshrined the souls of Class A criminals despite right winger's calls every year for him to pay homage in Yasukuni is very tale-telling about the emperor's understanding of history. I think he's a strong man despite his life is so restricted. I wish his heir son had his strength. Young (Japanese) people are forgetting history alright, or never learning it altogether. Perhaps under this new regime the situation may change.
Posted in: Emperor, on 20th anniversary of accession, concerned young people forgetting history
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Azrael
Report the sighting to the nearest Koban. What else?
Posted in: If you saw someone you thought was murder suspect Tatsuya Ichihashi on the street, in a restaurant or on a train, for example, realistically speaking, what would you do?
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Azrael
This is a travesty of justice. How come an individual is allowed to force centuries of tradition and cultural identity away from Italian children because the symbol she attacks makes -her- uncomfortable? Tolerance is a two-way road. Unfortunately narrow-minded people cannot understand this basic principle of civilized existence and prefer to push their private ego above the cultural legacy of a whole country where millions disagree with her egotism.
Posted in: European court: No crucifixes in Italian schools
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Azrael
Yokomoc: Have you ever heard about recycled paper? It's a very useful invention.
Posted in: What do you think of electronic book readers like Kindle and how big do you think the e-book market will get?
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Azrael
My AU KDDI phone broke down. I was prepared to buy AU a new headset this month, but AU won't sell me anything unless I sign a two years contract (apparently in blood). I have only a few months left in Japan, so NAW. I just had my old AU headset repaired, fully paid from my accumulated AU points so I got the repairs for FREE and I keep my 2man yen for me. On my student plan I pay under 4000 yen a month because I only text and check the weather reports. TAKE THAT AU! >:D
Posted in: KDDI unveils new lineup of au handsets
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Azrael
Amazon restricts users and (already has) changes the contents of books you "own" without prior notice because it doesn't need your permission to alter the contents of your books (specifically, replace your edition with an edited edition). Turns out, you can't "buy" books, only buy a "license" to read them. That is SO 1984. I refuse to buy a Kindle or any similar device as long as that issue is dealt with.
On the other hand as someone already mentioned, who said all avid readers belong in the moneyed elite? Electronic books can be a fashion gadget but nothing more. Printed books must continue to exist, because the vast majority of the world population (yes, including people in the developing world and poor nations) cannot afford fancy lifestyles. Children need school books, libraries; even now many poor children receive second hand school books via donations and charities that collect and redistribute used books. Used book shops are goldmines for great reads and way cheaper than Kindle for DECADES worth in receipts. One whole book (more so the classics) for less than a dollar (surprised?). Kindle is an elitist fad. Perhaps it will prosper in its captive market (the rich in rich nations, like 2% of the human race), but as far as saying electronic readers will eradicate paper books? PLEASE. Right to Education is a human right on the UN list; paper books are inextricably linked to that right.
Posted in: What do you think of electronic book readers like Kindle and how big do you think the e-book market will get?
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Azrael
Hey! I remember him from Akira Kurozawa's movies! Akira Terao is still alive! ^0^!
... I tend to assume the best actors and authors are already dead. Sometimes they surprise me, they were not dead after all.
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Azrael
Indeed, if eradicating English from internet website design in certain countries was the target, it is off-target.
Tags and code are in alphabet and/or alphanumeric characters. Also, meta-words used by search engines to actually find a website are written in alphanumeric characters on sections of the website invisible to final users. Like Latin and taxonomic classification, it is by now altogether impossible to eradicate usage of English language from website design; hence the address in characters other than alphanumeric characters appears merely cosmetic. Scripts in other languages? Maybe the comments sections outside coding itself. Like DOS or Unix; the main gut of the creature is alphanumeric.
Apparently according to the quote above it could be that people could type an address in any language and it would be recognized and searched in the language in which its website is registered (in its domain). It sounds like an online translator for url search boxes. Online translators are not quite reliable yet; I wonder how exactly would this work.
As other posters mentioned, installing language "borders" in cyberspace will only be in detriment of those limited by that language in terms of market and global visibility. It will also provide a haven for criminals in specially endemic-language regions (such as Korea and Japan for example). Like it or not, the world is already a world wide web. Turning back would be as unfeasible as trying to make people un-learn how to read. To call for the world's attention on human rights and local issues, people need to use languages others understand and sadly, the majority will dictate this (supply and demand). English, Spanish and Chinese are more likely to lead by sheer number of speakers. So yes, it's a bad idea that may put smaller groups at disadvantage.
On the other hand, the importance of speaking more than one language cannot be disregarded. I still wonder, will Japanese still work for me years after I finish my studies and go back to my country? How will I use it, except from reading a fraction of the technical materials I must manage in my career?
Posted in: Internet set for change with non-English addresses